Besides, the lack of consistency of topic makes it almost certain that students will immediately forget everything that have just been studying.

Fortunately for students at Pear Tree’s learning centre, integrated subjects are implemented throughout our classes. This means that our students are always connecting disciplines, and are always learning. By having such an in-depth knowledge of a topic, they are more likely to understand and remember what they have studied.

“Not enough [students] are leaving school with the skills they need for success in the real world.”

“An undergraduate education… ought to produce critical thinkers, scientifically and culturally literate people who can assess evidence, connect the dots and communicate with clarity – the key skills, that, in a fast-changing economy, prepare people for the jobs that haven’t been invented yet.”

There are two observations here:

The need for a well-rounded education

The need for everyone to be able to adapt to present and future careers.

This issue doesn’t just apply to university, but also to career colleges and trade schools. Young people get their education from various different institutions. Wherever this may be, each and every individual must be able to contribute well to the economy.

“If you can’t explain it, you shouldn’t be able to teach it.”

The G&M criticizes the lack of teaching training that university professors have in Canada. It’s certainly true that professors are often painfully bad at communicating effectively to their young audience. Perhaps the only reason that university education has any effectiveness at all is due to the desire of students to learn based on their ambitions and/or the amount of money courses cost.

Teaching ability doesn’t just apply to universities, however. Schools often lack highly-qualified teachers (master’s degrees and above), despite any training they may have.

“Dumping information from a professor’s head onto a student’s notebook isn’t education.”

Right. Teacher-centred learning doesn’t work. We learn by doing. Unless students are actively involved with the education process, they will not truly understand or remember anything they are studying. What a waste of a $20K education!